Toilet light and scent apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to illuminate and air freshen a toilet bowl. More particularly an easily installed apparatus in a saddle type configuration that is placed on the toilet bowl rim and is capable of providing illumination into the bowl and deodorizing functions by emanation of a pleasant fragrance into the air in the bowl or surrounding environment. More particularly an apparatus to illuminate, disinfect and air freshen a toilet bowl in a saddle type configuration that is placed on the toilet bowl rim and is capable of providing illumination into the bowl, disinfecting the toilet bowl water, and deodorizing functions by emanation of a pleasant fragrance into the air in the bowl or surrounding environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to illumination, disinfectionand fragrance for a toilet. More particularly to an easily installedapparatus in a saddle type configuration that is placed on the toiletbowl rim and is capable of providing illumination into the bowl,disinfectant and deodorizing functions for the water in the bowl andemanation of a pleasant fragrance into the air in the bowl orsurrounding environment. More particularly, the apparatus furthercomprises a switch that is engaged by the underside of the toilet seatto enable or disable the illumination function. More particularly, thedisinfectant or antimicrobial material in the apparatus would preferablybe placed inside the bowl in such a manner as to allow flush water flowto erode the disinfectant and carry it into the bowl water. Similarly,the fragrance may emanate from the apparatus by evaporation at roomtemperature or by heat from an electrical stimulus. Specifically, whenthe toilet seat is raised the switch closes the circuit and the bowl isilluminated. Illuminating the bowl in this manner particularly aidsthose persons who stand at the toilet to use it as a urinal, such asyoung males in the nighttime or persons of any age with reduced sightability. The presence of the light when the seat is up thus aidsaccuracy of urine flow into the toilet bowl to maintain a more sanitaryenvironment around the toilet. In addition, those persons who requirethat the seat be placed in the lowered position on the toilet rim toproperly use the toilet will be assured that the seat is down becausethere would be no illumination in the bowl. Conversely, the apparatusmay be configured to illuminate the bowl when the seat is down. Anilluminated bowl when the seat is down may aid the elderly or those withlimited sight to make certain of the location of the toilet. Further,reduction of disagreeable odors in the proximity of the toilet bowlwould be remediated by the presence of the water disinfectant and theair fragrance functions of the apparatus. Further, the illumination andfragrance emanation could be controlled by electrical circuits to occursimultaneously providing a more pleasant environment.

2. Description of Related Art

Illumination of a toilet, or the toilet bowl, is known in the art. U.S.Pat. No. 4,860,178 to Picon (1989) discloses a light that illuminatesthe bowl by mounting on the underside of the toilet seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,476 to Horn (1992) discloses a u-shaped tube havinga light on one end and a voltage source on the other. The tubular partis bent to conform to the toilet rim for placement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,595 to Patrie, (1994) discloses a self-containedtoilet bowl illumination light that mounts on the underside of thetoilet lid. When the lid is raised, the bowl is illuminated with a greenlight. If the seat is also raised, a red light is energized to alert theuser of the position of the seat. This toilet light is marketed atvarious places on the internet under the name, “LavNav Nightlight”.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,066 to Mills et al., (1995) discloses a toilet lightthat mounts at the seat hinge and is actuated by a switch when the seatis raised. This toilet light is marketed on the internet under the name,“Johnnie Light” at http://johnnie-light.com.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,397 to Terry, (1996) discloses a toilet light thatdifferentiates from prior art by illuminating the toilet bowl when theseat is down. The light is designed to illuminate the underside of thetoilet seat, not the bowl, so that the person can tell that the seat isdown in dim light.

Similarly, an apparatus that mounts on a toilet and scents thesurrounding area is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,425 to Janik(1997) discloses a handle that attaches to the underside of a toiletseat and contains a deodorizing wafer. The unit may glow in the dark,but is otherwise not electrically powered or illuminated.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,258 to Derouin (1998) discloses a toilet seat handlethat attaches to the underside of the seat. The handle may contain ascent cartridge and an electrically powered light to illuminate thehandle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,967 to Gianelli et al. (2004) discloses a toiletseat handle that is comprised of an air freshening scent, anantimicrobial agent and a phosphorescent material to glow in the darkfor location.

The related art as described above discloses an assortment of toiletlights and a variety of scenting and disinfecting devices located underthe toilet seat or on the rim of the toilet bowl. However, the bowlillumination inventions do not provide disinfection of the toilet wateror air freshening. Similarly, the toilet handles that provide airfreshening, disinfection to the touch, or illumination do not providedisinfection of the toilet water, or illumination of the toilet bowl.

Therefore it can be appreciated that there exists a need, and would beadvantageous and convenient to provide, the functions of toilet bowlillumination and air freshening in one apparatus, or to include, inaddition, the function of toilet water disinfection. The presentinvention substantially fulfills this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention substantially departs from theconventional concepts of the related art by combining the functions oftoilet bowl illumination and air freshening, or toilet bowlillumination, disinfection and air freshening, in one device for theconsumer.

This apparatus of the present invention reduces the need of having thebathroom light on late at night to use the toilet to help remember tolift and lower the toilet seat, and better sighting for male use of thetoilet as a urinal. The illumination function, and the scentingfunction, may be enabled by an electrical circuit such that a switch onthe device could be configured to provide standby, and “on/off” modes.Furthermore, once enabled, the illumination function may be controlledby another switch that is activated in contact with the underside of thetoilet seat, or by proximity, or other control means as known in theart. The illumination could either stay on in the dark like anightlight, or switch on and off with the lift or lowering of the toiletseat. The scenting function of the apparatus is affected by placement ofa pre-scented form, such as a commercially available scented evaporativetablet, saturated substrate such as paper, or other fragrancecomposition. In a similar manner, the disinfecting function may beaccomplished by use of a disinfectant composition known in the art, suchas an antimicrobial agent delivery system incorporated into awater-soluble tablet form. Such tablets may also have an air fresheningcompound included, and thus a separate air freshening agent would not benecessary. The apparatus would preferably be substantially rigid andconstructed of a non-corroding material, such as a plastic. Theapparatus would be easily cleaned and movable around the perimeter ofthe toilet bowl. The useable components, such as the air freshening anddisinfecting agents and the batteries, would be accessible by openingaccess panels for ease of replacement. The several possible functionsallow various configurations and shapes.

An advantage of the present invention is the plurality of functions inone apparatus that enables it use as a toilet aid to young and old, maleand female.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the three functionsdescribed herein may be utilized together or in a plurality ofcombinations and with a similar conformation designed to rest on thetoilet rim.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide in oneapparatus for toilet safety and hygiene the functions of toilet bowlillumination and air freshening.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in oneapparatus for toilet safety and hygiene the functions of toilet bowlillumination, toilet bowl disinfection and air freshening.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method ofilluminating and disinfecting a toilet bowl, and freshening theenvironment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful article combining the primary needs of the consumer ofilluminating and deodorizing a toilet bowl.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful article combining the primary needs of the consumer ofilluminating, deodorizing and disinfecting a toilet bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination portion in the foreground constructed inaccord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a reversed perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withthe air freshening/battery portion in the foreground;

FIG. 3 is a partially inverted view of the base of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toilet showing placement of theembodiment of FIG. 1 in use on the toilet rim;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet of FIG. 4 taken alongline A-A showing placement of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional and exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 2taken along line B-B;

FIG. 7 is an isolated view of the left half of the sectioned embodimentof FIG. 6 taken along line B-B;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination portion in the foreground andconstructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a reversed perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 withthe air freshening/battery portion in the foreground;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken along lineC-C;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toilet showing placement of theembodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 in use on the toilet rim;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet and embodiment of FIG.11 taken along line C-C;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the air freshening/battery portion in the foreground andconstructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination portion in the foreground andconstructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 takenalong line D-D;

FIG. 16 is an isolated view of the right half of the sectionedembodiment of FIG. 15 taken along line D-D;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a toilet showing placement of theembodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 in use on the toilet rim;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 withthe air freshening/battery portion in the foreground;

FIG. 19 is a lateral view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus constructed in accord with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination portion in the foreground andconstructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination portion in the foreground andconstructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a reversed perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 21 withthe air freshening/battery portion in the foreground;

FIG. 23 is a lateral view of the embodiments of FIGS. 21 and 22 of thetoilet apparatus constructed in accord with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22 takenalong line E-E;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view from within the toilet bowl of analternative embodiment of the toilet apparatus with theillumination/disinfecting portion in the foreground installed on atoilet rim and constructed in accord with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 25 from outsidethe toilet bowl showing the air freshening and battery portion;

FIG. 27 is a rear view of the disinfectant portion of the embodiment ofFIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus with the illumination/air freshening portion in the foregroundand constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described more fully by reference to thepreferred embodiments of the drawings. However, the embodiments of theinvention may be in different forms and these drawings should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention as described herein.

Proceeding now to FIGS. 1 through 7, the toilet light, disinfectant andfragrance apparatus, hereinafter, the “toilet apparatus” 10, comprisesgenerally an inboard member 12, a connector member 14 and an outboardmember 16, the apparatus constructed in the general shape of a saddle tostraddle or conform to a toilet bowl rim 18. The connector member 14suspends the inboard member 12 and the outboard member 16 in the properposition for the apparatus too perform one or more of its functions oflighting the bowl, disinfecting the water and perfuming thesurroundings.

The inboard member 12 is generally located within the toilet bowl 20 inclose proximity to the toilet rim 18 and above the standing water level22. The inboard member 12 further comprises a body portion 24, ailluminating element 26 and disinfectant element 28. The body portion 24further comprises a front surface 30, a rear surface 32 and a perimeter34. Reversibly attached to the front surface 30 is illuminating element26 comprising a light shield 36 and a translucent lens 38 for lighttransmission into the toilet bowl 20 that defines a illumination chamber40 illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein an illumination source 42 is located.The inboard member 12 further comprises a disinfecting element 28reversibly attached to the rear surface 32 of the body 24 and furthercomprising a water inlet portion 44 having inlet retaining bars 46defining inlet slots 48, a water outlet portion 50 with outlet retainingbars 52 defining water outlet slots 54, a first side portion 56, asecond side portion 58, and a backing member 59 defining a disinfectantchamber 60. In use, the disinfecting element 28 is detached from therear surface 32 of the body 24 by disengaging a flexible clip 61 and adisinfectant composition 62 is placed within the chamber 60 and thedisinfecting element 28 is reattached. Water soluble compositions fordisinfecting and deodorizing toilet bowls are pre-existing in the art,such as the tablets or cakes frequently seen in a toilet bowl or nearthe drain in a urinal The inboard member 12 of the apparatus 10 ispreferably positioned under the toilet rim 18 such that a portion of thewater flow exiting the rim 18 during a flush passes over the inletretaining bars 46 and flows through the inlet slots 48 to enter thedisinfectant chamber 60 and exit through the outlet slots 54. Thus theflush water will carry a portion of the dissolved disinfectantcomposition 62 through the outlet slots 54 to be carried into the toiletbowl 20 and water 62. In an alternative embodiment, the disinfectingelement 28 could comprise an open-topped basket made of wire or plasticthat would permit simply dropping a disinfectant composition 62, such asa preformed tablet into the basket and replacing the apparatus 10 backon the toilet rim 18.

The outboard member 16 is positioned on the exterior of the toilet bowl20 in close proximity to the toilet rim 18. The outboard member 16further comprises a rear portion 66, a first side portion 68, a secondside portion 70, a top portion 72, a bottom portion 74 and a frontportion 76 defining a fragrance chamber 78 and a battery chamber 80separated by a divider 82. The front portion 76 is reversibly attachedto the top portion 72 and the bottom portion 74, and further comprises aplurality of fragrance retaining bars 84 spatially separated that definea plurality of fragrance vents 86 to allow air movement in and out ofthe fragrance chamber 78. In use, the front portion 76 it is removed foraccess to the fragrance chamber 78 and the battery chamber 80. Thepurpose of the fragrance chamber 78 is to retain a fragrance composition88 for perfuming the surround air using available air convection. Roomand toilet bowl freshening compositions are well known in the art, suchas the tablets or cakes that emit fragrance at room temperature, orelectrically assisted units that promote fragrance dispersal byelectrical energy. The battery chamber 80 retains the electrical energysource, such as a battery 81, to provide onboard power to theillumination source 42, fragrance emission and any other electricalneed. However, the toilet apparatus 10 of the present invention couldalso be adapted to utilize conventional electrical supply to power theillumination and air freshening functions.

The preferred embodiment of the connector member 14 of FIGS. 1 through12 has the general shape of an inverted stirrup comprising an uppersurface 90 a lower surface 92 a first side portion 94 a second sideportion 96 a first end 98 and a second end 100. The first end 98 of theconnector member 14 is attached to the inboard member 12 and the secondend 100 is attached to the outboard member 16. The purpose of theconnector member 14 is to retain the inboard member 12 and the outboardmember 16 in spatial arrangement to effect the purpose of the invention,to provide a location for an electrical switch 102 to control theillumination source 42, such as low wattage lamp or LED, and as aconduit for any electric wiring 104 between the battery 81 and theillumination source 42. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, theconnector member 14 preferably places and retains the inboard member 12under the toilet bowl rim 18 and in close proximity to the interiorsurface of the toilet bowl 20 to enable flush water flow to enter thedisinfectant chamber 60 and carry the disinfecting antimicrobial agent62 into the toilet water 62 to reduce or eliminate harmful bacteria. Inaddition, the connector member 14 enables the electrical supply to bepreferably located on the exterior of the toilet bowl 20 to avoidcontact with the waste and water in the bowl 20. In addition, thejuxtaposed elements disperse the weight and aid in balance of theapparatus 10 on the rim 18. However, the electrical supply could belocated in the inboard member 12 if properly isolated from liquidcontact.

The electrical circuit for the function of illumination comprises abasic low voltage circuit well known in the art. One or moreconventional batteries 81 source the electrical energy and use wiring104 to connect through a first switch 102 to an illumination source 42,such as an LED, to produce illumination. The function of the firstswitch 102 is to complete the circuit to activate the illumination.Depending upon the type of switch and circuit design, the switch 102could act to energize the illumination source 42 when the toilet seat israised or when it is lowered. In an alternative embodiment, a proximityswitch, or other means known in the art, could be incorporated into theapparatus of the present invention in place of the contact switch 102 toactivate at the raising or lowering of the toilet seat, or when sensingthe position of a person in relation to the apparatus. In a furtheralternative embodiment, the air freshening function could be enabled byan electrical stimulus to promote the evaporation or diffusion of thefragrance into the area. Similar to the illumination control, theelectrical stimulus for the fragrance could be enabled by the sameswitch mechanism. An advantage would be synchronized illumination andair freshening at the moment of toilet use. In a further embodiment, theoutboard member 16 further comprises a second switch 106 located in thetop portion 72 and included in the electrical circuit to provide standbyand/or on/off modes. For example, a three position switch would compriseon, standby and off functions. The ‘on’ position would allow current tobypass the contact switch 102 so that the illumination would remain onand function as a conventional night light. In the ‘standby’ position,current would be provided to the switch 102 to activate the illuminationin response to the position of the toilet seat. In the ‘off’ mode nocurrent would be provided for any function.

In FIGS. 8 through 12, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention illustrates elevated placement of the illuminating element 26on the connecting member 14 superior to the water inlet portion 44 ofthe disinfecting element 28. An advantage of this configuration would beto raise the electrical connections and illumination source 42 above thelevel of the top of the disinfecting element 28 in case flush waterwould over flow onto the lens member of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 also illustratesthat the front portion 76 of the outboard member 16 may be engaged anddisengaged by use of one or more retaining clips 108 to access thefragrance chamber 78 and the battery chamber 80 to replace the fragrancecomposition 88 or the battery 81.

FIGS. 13 through 18 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of thetoilet apparatus 10 of the present invention wherein the disinfectingelement 28 is absent in favor of only the illumination and fragrancefunction combination as previously described. The illuminating element26 is attached directly to the connector member 14 which contains aswitch 102 and electrical circuit to effectuate the teachings of theinvention. In addition, this conformation of the toilet apparatus 10 ofthe present invention presents a more compact package where the consumerdoes not need the disinfection function.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of thetoilet apparatus 10 of the present invention having a conformationsimilar to that of FIG. 1, but the disinfecting element 28 is absent infavor of only the illumination and fragrance function combination aspreviously described. The illuminating element 26 is attached in asimilar manner to the connector member 14 which contains a switch 102and electrical circuit to effectuate the teachings of the invention.

FIGS. 21 through 24, illustrate a further alternative embodiment of thetoilet apparatus 10 of the present invention wherein the disinfectingelement 28 is absent in favor of only the illumination and fragrancefunction combination as previously described. However in this embodimentthe fragrance function is moved to the inboard member 12. The inboardmember 12 comprises a lens member 26 attached directly below a fragrancemember 110. The fragrance member 110 is then attached to the connectormember 14 which contains a switch 102 and electrical circuit toeffectuate the teachings of the invention as stated above. In thisembodiment, the outboard member 16 comprises the battery chamber 78since the fragrance function is provided on the inboard member 12. Thisconformation of the toilet apparatus 10 of the present invention has theadvantage of providing a compact package where the consumer does notdesire the disinfection function.

FIGS. 25 through 27 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of thetoilet apparatus 10 of the present invention wherein the all threefunctions of the apparatus 10 are provided in a conformation similar toFIG. 1.

FIG. 28 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the toiletapparatus 10 of the present invention wherein the disinfecting element28 is absent in favor of the illumination and fragrance functioncombination as previously described in FIGS. 21 through 24. Thisconformation of the toilet apparatus 10 of the present invention has theadvantage of providing an alternative compact package where the consumerdoes not desire the disinfection function.

It is understood that the embodiments and descriptions of the inventionherein described are merely instruments of the application of theinvention and those skilled in the art should realize that changes maybe made without departure from the essential elements and contributionsto the art made by the teachings of the invention herein.

1. An apparatus for illuminating, disinfecting and air freshening a toilet comprising: a. An illumination source; b. A disinfecting composition; c. An air freshening composition d. An electrical energy source; e. An electrical circuit comprising electrical conductors interconnecting said electrical energy source, said illumination source, and a switch, and f. A housing comprising an inboard member to locate said illumination source and said disinfectant composition within said toilet bowl, an outboard member to locate said air freshening composition and said electrical energy source without said toilet bowl, and a connector member interconnecting and supporting said inboard member and said outboard member on a toilet bowl rim and further comprising a switch and electrical conductors;
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch activates said electrical circuit when the toilet seat is raised;
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch activates said electrical circuit when the toilet seat is lowered to the sitting position;
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch comprises an ambient light sensor;
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illumination source is a light emitting diode;
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical energy source comprises a battery;
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical energy source comprises a commercial electrical current source;
 8. A method of providing illumination, air freshening and disinfection to a toilet comprising: g. Providing an electrical energy source; h. Providing an illumination source; i. Providing an electrical circuit connecting said illumination source to said electrical energy source; j. providing a disinfectant composition; k. providing an air freshening composition; l. providing a housing comprising an inboard member locating said illumination source within said toilet bowl and locating said disinfectant composition substantially beneath the toilet rim, an outboard member locating said air freshening composition and said electrical energy source without said toilet bowl, and a connector member interconnecting and supporting said inboard member and said outboard member on a toilet bowl rim and further comprising a switch and electrical conductors; m. activating said illumination source by contacting said switch with the underside of the toilet seat; n. disinfecting said toilet bowl by contacting said disinfectant composition with toilet flush water; o. air freshening the toilet area by evaporative dispersal of said air freshening composition;
 9. An apparatus for illuminating and air freshening a toilet comprising: a. An illumination source; b. An air freshening composition c. An electrical energy source; d. An electrical circuit comprising electrical conductors interconnecting said electrical energy source, said illumination source, and a switch, and e. A housing comprising an inboard member to locate said illumination source within said toilet bowl, an outboard member to locate said air freshening composition and said electrical energy source without said toilet bowl, and a connector member interconnecting and supporting said inboard member and said outboard member on a toilet bowl rim and further comprising a switch and electrical conductors;
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said switch activates said electrical circuit when the toilet seat is raised;
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said switch activates said electrical circuit when the toilet seat is lowered to the sitting position;
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said illumination source is a light emitting diode;
 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said electrical energy source comprises a battery;
 14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said electrical energy source comprises a commercial electrical current source; 